Pitru or Pitra refers to one's father and paternal side of ancestors. Pitra Dosh represents the bad karma or wrongdoing created by their ancestors of the paternal side while living in the past. Pitra Dosh puja is a Hindu ritual that purifies all the wrongdoing and helps ancestors rest in peace as their souls are finally freed. Pitra Dosh Puja is typically performed by those born with Sun and Rahu conjunct in the ninth house. This Dosha is seen in the kundali of someone whose ancestors could not achieve contentment due to religious ceremonies at the moment of death. Money loss, domestic issues, litigation suits, inability to have a child, and job challenges are all examples of Pitra dosh. According to Hindu religion, one can gain blessings for a happy and peaceful worldly life by satisfying the forefathers who have passed away.
Pitru Dosha Puja is performed during the Pitru Paksha, a 16-day period dedicated to honoring and remembering the ancestors. This period falls in the Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapada. Besides this time period, the puja can also be performed on other auspicious occasions such as Amavasya day, during eclipses, or on specific dates indicated by the family pandit.
The Ritual Process of Pitru or Pitra Dosha Puja
The Pitru Dosha Puja involves several key steps mentioned as follows:
Sankalp: This ritual is initiated by the pandit and devotees worshipping Lord Ganesha and taking a sankalp to perform the puja with devotion and sincerity. The names and gotra of the ancestors for whom the puja is being performed are mentioned during this vow by the pandit.
Kalash Sthapana: A kalash filled with water topped with coconut and mango leaves is placed on the altar. This is done under the guidance of pandits who chants specific mantras and devotees performing as said. This ritual symbolizes the presence of holy rivers and deities.
Tarpan: This is the most important part of the puja which involves offering water mixed with black sesame seeds, barley, and kusa grass to the ancestors. This offering is known as tarpan, is accompanied by the chanting of sacred mantras by the pandits to seek the blessings of the ancestors and their forgiveness for any shortcomings in performing their final rites.
Pinda Daan: In this ritual, rice balls are offered to the ancestors as a gesture of providing nutrition to them in the afterlife. These pindas are later immersed in a holy river by the pandits & family members, which symbolizes the release of the ancestors' souls from earthly bondage.
Homa: The pandits begin homa by offering ghee, sesame seeds, and other sacred substances into the holy fire while chanting Vedic mantras. This fire is considered holy and is believed to carry the offerings to the ancestors, ensuring their satisfaction and peace.
Brahman Bhojan: The puja ends with offering Brahmins with food and seeking their blessings, as they are considered representatives of the ancestors.
Benefits of Pitru or Pitra Dosh Puja
- It removes hurdles in the professional & career life by proving greater opportunities to progress.
- It also resolves health issues & cures serious and acute diseases.
- It helps to bring back the good fortune thereby instilling positivity all around.
- On performing this puja, couples facing childbirth problems will be blessed with a healthy baby.
Spiritual Benefits of Pitru or Pitra DoshPuja
- This puja grants moksha or salvation.
- It also provides relief from harmful effects of the planets
- It protects devotees from the evil energies and helps them remain unaffected by the enemies.
Health Benefit of Pitru or Pitra Dosh Puja
- Frees devotee from mental confusion, illusion, attachment, and suffering.
- Performing this puja grants concentration & peace of mind.
- It protects from serious ailments & improves health.
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